Welcome to Summer in Minnesota! There is nothing like it. Between the music festivals, weekends at the cabin, late night patio seating at your favorite pub/restaurant, and exploring all our city has to offer, it is one of the best times of year that school kids and adults alike look forward to.
And even though summers may look different (youth are off of school, most of us take vacations, we move to just one service on Sundays, Community Groups and HLI takes a break, etc.), Hiawatha Church’s mission of making disciples (and ours as an extension) continues.
Below are some ideas for us as individuals, community groups, families, or as a church to live on mission this summer. Minnesotans come out of hibernating, yards are full of neighbors, students aren’t in classes, and the lakes, parks, and streets are full of people. “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity” -Ephesians 5:15-16.
Hiawatha Church, let’s be used by Jesus this summer!
Holidays/Celebrations: host a party or get together with a group of friends to attend one of our many summer festivities: 4th of July, National Night Out, Longfellow Corn Feed, State Fair, Open Streets, outdoor movies, and countless festivals, concerts, and activities across the city.
Sign your kid(s) up for a sport or activity at one of the local parks. Then show up. Meet other parents. Connect with other families. Want more ideas about connecting youth sports in the park system with missional living? Contact one of our locally supported ministries: R.O.C.K.
What are you good at or excited about? Host it at your home or in your yard. Whether it is an acoustic concert on your deck or porch, a lawn game tournament, a stop on the Lolo art crawl, or an outdoor movie, connect your passion and talents with opportunities to build relationships.
Host a neighborhood BBQ: invite those you know and use this as an easy excuse to show hospitality and meet neighbors you haven’t yet.
Enjoy our local green spaces (here's our local favorite). Meet new people or meet up with friends and neighbors.
Invite someone out for lunch after a Sunday service.
Get or make a fire pit: invite people over to make smores and have great conversations deep into the night.
Visit your local Farmer’s Market: go often and to the same vendors, learning their names, and building a relationship with them as well as participate in the community that many Farmer’s Markets create.
Join a local garden (if you don’t already have one in your yard). There are a number of them in South Minneapolis. There will be lots of opportunities to meet people as you garden alongside others.
Finally, join your church family in prayer. The first Thursday morning each month this summer, we will be gathering for prayer with a missional focus. We'll gather at 6:30 am at the church building. We passionately believe that God is the one who saves, melts hearts of stone, and raises the spiritually dead. So as we desire to see our city transformed with the gospel, we start with prayer. Join us as we pray for more conversions, for God to use us and bless our neighborhood and city, for current and future church plants, and for mission in general.
"I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people" -1 Timothy 2:1
Through the power of the Spirit, let’s be a church (individually and corporately) that intentionally moves into our city this summer to reach those who don’t yet know the saving power of Jesus!
SPENCER PETERSON / COMMUNITY LIFE PASTOR